How to Fix iPhone/iPad Stuck in Recovery Mode Loop after Update
Your iPhone or iPad updated, restarted, and now it's cycling endlessly into Recovery Mode — showing the cable-to-computer screen, restarting, and showing it again, no matter what you press. This guide explains why this happens after an update and walks through every fix, from a simple force restart up to professional repair, in order of how invasive they are.
- 3 Method to Fix iPhone/iPad Stuck in Recovery Mode Loop
- Why Does This Happen After an Update?
- Method 1: Force Restart Your Device (Try This First)
- Method 2: Restore via Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows)
- Method 3: Repair Without Data Loss Using Cocosenor iOS Repair Tuner
Why Does This Happen After an Update?
A recovery mode loop after an update almost always means the firmware installation was interrupted or didn't complete cleanly. Common triggers include:
- • The update was interrupted by a USB disconnection, low battery, or force restart during installation
- • Insufficient storage caused part of the new firmware to fail writing
- • A corrupted download of the update package itself
- • A failed verification step that the device couldn't recover from on its own
Good news: in almost all cases, this is a software issue that can be fixed without data loss using the methods below — it does not mean your device is broken.
Method 1: Force Restart Your Device (Try This First)
The errors inside the iOS device can lead to the iPhone/iPad stuck issue. You can try to force restart the device to exit the recovery mode. Different models of iPhone or iPad have different restart methods. Here are several models for reference:
Force restart to fix iPhone stuck in recovery mode loop:
The iPhone8 and later models: press the volume up button and release it, press the volume down button and release it, then press and hold the power button until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
The iPhone 7 and 7P: Long press the power button and volume down button at the same time until you see the Apple logo on the screen, then release the buttons.
The iPhone 6 and previous models: Long press the power button and the Home button at the same time until you see the Apple logo on the screen, then release them.
Force restart to fix iPad stuck in recovery mode loop:
For iPad Pro models with Face ID and no Home button: press and release the volume up button, press and release the volume down button, press and hold the top button until the screen shows the Apple logo to release.
For iPad models with Home button: Long press the Home button and the top button at the same time, press and hold until the Apple logo appears on the screen to release.
Method 2: Restore via Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows)
If a force restart doesn't help, your computer can reinstall iOS while your device is in Recovery Mode. The critical thing to know: both Finder and iTunes offer two options — Update and Restore. Update reinstalls iOS without erasing your data and should always be tried first. Restore erases everything and should be your last resort.
Step-1: Check and update iTunes to the latest version on your computer and then launch it.
Step-2: If it's already stuck showing the connect-to-computer screen, it's already in Recovery Mode — skip to Step 3. Otherwise, follow the force restart steps above and keep holding the final button until you see the Recovery Mode screen instead of the Apple logo.
Step-3: Connect your device to your Mac with a USB or USB-C cable.Open Finder/iTunes, which will detect Recovery Mode and display a dialog with two options: Update and Restore. Click Update first. Finder will reinstall iOS without erasing your data. If Update fails, repeat the process and select Restore instead (this erases all data).
Step-4: Then iTunes/Finder will download iPhone software update, you just need to wait patiently. When the repairing is complete, your iPhone/iPad will exit the recovery mode and restart to work normally.
Method 3: Repair Without Data Loss Using Cocosenor iOS Repair Tuner
If you still can’t solve iPhone/iPad stuck in recovery mode loop, maybe you can use an iOS system recovery software to fix it. Cocosenor iOS Repair Tuner is the intuitive and effective iOS repair software that can handle various stuck issues of iOS devices with no data loss. Try this method to rescue your iPhone/iPad.
Note: Before restoring the iOS device, please make sure your computer has the latest iTunes installed.
Step 1: Download Cocosenor iOS Repair Tuner from the official website. Then install in your computer and start it.
Step 2: In the Cocosenor iOS Repair Tuner interface, select System Repair and then Standard Mode.
Step-3: In this interface, click Start to start preparing for repair.
Step-4: Now, connect your iOS device to the computer via a USB cable. Wait for the computer to recognize the device and then click Next.
Step-5: In this step, your iOS device will be detected and the corresponding version of the firmware package is displayed. Click Download to download the firmware package, or if you already have the firmware package in your computer, you can directly click the Select button to import it.
Step-6: After downloading or adding the firmware package, the software will automatically enter the firmware package verification process.
Step-7: After the verification is complete, it will enter the repair interface. Then you can click Repair to start repairing the iOS device stuck in the recovery mode loop after update issue. Here you should be noted that during the repairing process, please keep the device connected to your computer to prevent the repairing from being interrupted.
Step-8: After minutes, a prompt box indicating successful repair will pop up, just click OK.
When the repairing is complete, your device will exit the recovery mode and automatically restart to return to normal without losing any data.
FAQs on iPhone Stuck on Recovery Mode Loop
Q1:My device shows Recovery Mode but Finder/iTunes says it's not detected — why?
This is usually a USB connection issue. Try a different cable (preferably the original Apple cable), a different USB port (avoid hubs), and restart your computer. Also confirm you have the latest version of Finder/macOS or iTunes installed.
Q2:How long does the Update or Restore process take?
Typically 10-30 minutes depending on your device and connection speed. Keep the device connected and don't interrupt the process, even if it appears to pause.
Q3: Will I lose my data fixing a recovery mode loop?
Not necessarily. Force restart (Method 1) and the Update option in Finder/iTunes/Cocosenor (Methods 2-3) all preserve your data. Only the Restore option and DFU mode erase everything. Always try the non-destructive options first.
Summary
All the above methods are effective for you to fix iPhone/iPad stuck in the recovery mode loop after update. If the iPhone/iPad cannot be turned on or exit the recovery mode interface through the above 3 methods, it is likely that the device has a hardware problem. It is recommended to send it to Apple for professional repair.
